Two ARIA awards, an APRA, an MTV EMA, a Billboard Music Award, a Platinum certified single (‘Youth’) and TV performances on Ellen, James Corden, Seth Myers and Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

Those are just some of the highlights of Troye Sivan’s career thus far. And behind every talented artist, is an equally talented manager.

LA-based artist manager Dani Russin may have been working with Billboard Power 100 figure Brandon Creed for almost 10 years, but she’s fast become an industry pathfinder with her relationship-driven approach.

Working at Creed and Jeffrey Azoff’s Full Stop Management company (Harry Styles, HAIM, Sara Bareilles, Mark Ronson, Meghan Trainor, Gwen Stefani) means Dani Russin can tap into the firm’s decades of inherited wisdom – not that she needs it. Troye Sivan is undoubtedly one of the biggest male pop acts in the world right now, and he shows no signs of stopping.

Sivan’s latest single ‘My My My’ hit the Top 10 on iTunes in over 40 countries on release, clocked over 24.1M plays on Spotify, and even received praise from acts like Alessia Cara, Lorde, Mark Ronson, Dua Lipa and Charli XCX.

.@troyesivan I am obsessed w you and i’m so happy for you #MYMYMY IS A BOP

— DUA LIPA (@DUALIPA) January 11, 2018

For these reasons and more, Dani Russin is our January Manager of the Month. To celebrate, we chatted with her about how she came to manage Troye Sivan, the value of patience, what she wishes she knew when she first became a manager, and more.

When did you start working with Full Stop and how did that role come about?

I’ve worked alongside Brandon Creed (co CEO of Full Stop Management) for the better part of a decade –  beginning in A&R at Epic Records then along with him to start his first management venture, The Creed Company.

In 2017 our roster joined up with Full Stop which has been a really exciting partnership.

How did you come to manage Troye Sivan?

I was graciously clued into Troye early by someone I used to work with at Epic (full circle!). He played me ‘Happy Little Pill’ and a few other demos and I didn’t leave his office until he put me in touch!

What do you remember about the music industry’s first reception of Troye Sivan back when media and label conversations first began?

We’ve been very lucky to work with labels who have always been very supportive of the music and the vision overall.

What do you wish you knew back when you first entered artist management?

The value of patience – from responding too quickly to an email to holding off on an opportunity while you and your artist work towards something bigger.

Troye Sivan and Dani Russin

What advice do you have for those wanting to make a difference in artists’ careers through management?

Find someone you believe in with all of your heart and work HARD. A long and successful artist career requires a solid foundation. You should feel driven to commit for the long haul or not at all.

Also, it’s okay to learn as you go. Be a good person, maintain integrity and the right decisions will come instinctively.

What the best career blunder you’ve ever made? 

I’ve certainly made the mistake of overextending myself at times. I am intensely passionate and dedicated to the artists I work with but I am at my best when I’m still taking time for myself and practicing balance.

Watch the clip for ‘My My My’ below:

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.